Network or access point handoff based upon historical pathway

ABSTRACT

A device for handing off a wireless connection can include a receiver configured to receive a communication signal from a wireless device within a first wireless cell, a first processor configured to determine communication information regarding the first wireless cell, and a storage unit configured to store directional information regarding the first wireless cell. In addition, the device can have a transmitter configured to transmit the directional information to a wireless device located within the first wireless cell, and a second processor configured to provide wireless connection to the wireless device through the receiver and the transmitter. The second processor can Handoff the wireless connection to a second wireless cell.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/409,940, entitled Network or Access Point Handoff Based Upon Historical Pathway, filed Sep. 12, 2002. The contents of the provisional application are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for performing network or access point handoff based upon historical pathway, within a wireless communication network environment such as IEEE 802.11, BLUETOOTH™, Ultra-Wideband (UWB) or any other wireless environment. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of and a system of using historical pathway information to handoff wireless connection from one network to another or from one access point to another. The present invention can be implemented in a wireless network device, which may include discrete devices or which may be implemented on a semiconductor substrate such as a silicon chip.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Currently, cables and wires are predominantly used as the communication medium for transferring information such as voice, video, data, etc. from one source to another. For example, cables or wires are commonly used to set up networking infrastructures in business offices, and are also used for personal home computing, and for connecting to the Internet. Therefore, cables and wires are generally used to configure a wired network wherein the cables and wires physically connect one or more device(s) to the wired network. Given the stationary nature of the wired devices, the devices can establish communication sessions with one or more other devices that are also physically connected to the network without concerns of communication coverage or drop-off.

[0006] On the other hand, as wireless technology continues to advance and grow, the usage and the popularity of wireless devices will also increase and grow. Therefore, there may be an increase in wireless cell networks for providing connection of wireless services therein. Since wireless devices can move from one geographic location to another, it may be important to provide wireless connection as the wireless devices move from one wireless cell to anther wireless cell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] One example of the present invention can be a method of handing off a wireless connection. The method can include the steps of establishing a wireless connection with a wireless device within a first wireless cell, determining communication information with regard to the first wireless cell, and providing wireless connection to the wireless device within the first wireless cell. In addition, the method can include the steps of transmitting directional information to the wireless device, and handing off the wireless connection to a second wireless cell.

[0008] In another example, the present invention can relate to a device for handing off a wireless connection. The device can have a receiver configured to receive a communication signal from a wireless device within a first wireless cell, a first processor configured to determine communication information regarding the first wireless cell, and a storage unit configured to store directional information regarding the first wireless cell. Moreover, the device can have a transmitter configured to transmit the directional information to a wireless device located within the first wireless cell, and a second processor configured to provide wireless connection to the wireless device through the receiver and the transmitter. The second processor can Handoff the wireless connection to a second wireless cell.

[0009] Additionally, another example of the present invention can provide a system for handing off a wireless connection. The system can include an establishing means for establishing a wireless connection with a wireless device within a first wireless cell, a determining means for determining communication information with regard to the first wireless cell, and a providing means for providing wireless connection to the wireless device within the first wireless cell. Furthermore, the system can have a transmitting means for transmitting directional information to the wireless device, and a hand-off means for handing off the wireless connection to a second wireless cell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] For proper understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a wireless network;

[0012]FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart illustrating one example of a method of performing network or access point handoff based on historical pathway, according to the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 3 illustrates one example of a hardware configuration for handing off a wireless connection from one network to another network or from one access point to another access point based on historical pathway, according to the present invention; and

[0014]FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of network or access point handoff based on historical pathway, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0015]FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a wireless network. FIG. 1 provides a wireless infrastructure network 100 containing an Access Point 101 connected with a LAN 102, such as an Ethernet LAN. In addition, the wireless infrastructure network 100 can contain devices 103 a, 103 b, 103 c. The Access Point 101 is connected to the LAN 102 by wires or cables and can be formed as part of the wired network infrastructure 102, having at least one service provider 104. The service provider 104 can include one or more server(s) connected to the LAN 102. One function of the Access Point 101 can be a bridge or a connection between the wireless network 100 and the wired network 102. Accordingly, all communications between the devices 103 a, 103 b, 103 c or between the devices and the wired network 102 can go through Access Point 101.

[0016] The examples of wireless networks as illustrated in FIG. 1 can use wireless technologies such as IEEE 802.11, BLUETOOTH™, UWB, etc.

[0017]FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a method of performing network or access point handoff based on historical pathway, in accordance with the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a method of efficiently handing off a wireless connection from one access point to another access point, or from one network to another network using the historical pathways of a wireless device. The method of the present example can be implemented in hardware, or software, or a combination of both hardware and software.

[0018] As mentioned above, as wireless technology continues to advance and grow, the usage and the popularity of wireless devices will also increase. Similarly, as wireless service providers offer more and convenient ways to access resources such as the Internet, the number of wireless cell providing connection for network customers or users will increase. Since wireless technology can allow the wireless devices to move from one wireless cell to another wireless cell, efficient handoff of wireless connection using historical pathway can be implemented to minimize or eliminate a drop in the coverage. Therefore, FIG. 2 illustrates one example of performing network or access point handoff based on historical pathway. It is noted that any reference to the phrase “wireless cell” herein can also include the term “wireless communication zone.”

[0019] A user having a wireless device can enter a geographic area having a wireless network infrastructure, which can include a plurality of wireless cells therein. Each wireless cell can provide wireless connection, and each wireless cell can be configured similar to the wireless cell network 100 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0020] Each wireless cell can contain a handoff device, which can perform as an access point for the wireless cell. The handoff device can be connected to a wired LAN having a server. The wired LAN can be an Ethernet LAN wherein the Ethernet LAN includes one or more service provider(s). The user within a first wireless cell either can send a request message from the wireless device to the handoff device, or has already established wireless connection within the first wireless cell. The request message can be a request to perform a specified task such as accessing resources or accessing services provided by or through the first wireless cell. The request message can include information such as the type of the wireless device, the data rate capacity of the wireless device, etc. In addition, the request message can be a request to perform a specified task wherein the request message can include information such as the type of task, the preferable data rate to achieve, the source and destination information, the priority of the task, etc. The handoff device can receive the request message from the user and can establish a wireless connection with the user at step 200 of FIG. 2.

[0021] After the handoff device receives the request message, the handoff device can initiate a signal-generating location information feature within the handoff device to determine the location information of the user who sent the request message at step 205. The handoff device can determine the location information such as the distance range location information or the geographic location information of the customer in various ways.

[0022] In one example, the handoff device can start by transmitting signals such as UWB signals within a predetermined default distance range at a corresponding power output level to locate the user's wireless device as well as other wireless devices within the wireless cell network. The handoff device can transmit UWB signals in unidirectional mode or omni-directional mode. In addition, the handoff device can transmit signals in pulses with short duty cycles.

[0023] After the transmission of signals either uni-directionally or omni-directionally, the transmitted signals can come into contact with the user's wireless device, and thereafter the signals can reflect back to the handoff device where the reflected signals can be received by the receiver within the handoff device.

[0024] Thereafter, the handoff device can monitor and register the timing of the transmission of the signals as well as the timing of the propagation of the signals. For example, the handoff device can monitor and record the time each signal is transmitted. Once the transmitted signals are reflected back and received by the receiver, the handoff device can monitor and record the time each signal is received. Based on this information, the handoff device can measure the total time duration for a signal to travel from the transmitter of the handoff device to the user's wireless device, and to reflect back and received by the receiver.

[0025] Based on this information and other factors, such as propagation delay, obstructions, the direction and angle of the signal transmission, the speed at which the signal travels compared to the speed at which light travels, etc., the handoff device can process the information in a location information processor to determine the distance range of the user's wireless device within the wireless cell network.

[0026] In another example, the handoff device can start by transmitting a range message signal to the user's wireless device within the wireless cell network. The range message signal can be sent out from a transmitter within the handoff device. In addition, the range message signals can be UWB signals transmitted in short duty cycles at a starting time T, such as T=0. Similar to the example above, the transmission of the range message signals can be unidirectional or omni-directional.

[0027] After sending the range message signals to the user's wireless device, the use's wireless device can receive the range message signal at a time T1. T1 for example, can be the sum of time T, the time of the processing delay ΔP, and the time of the first propagation delay ΔT₁. Thus, the user's wireless device can receive the range message signal at time T1, and can be represented as follows:

T1=T+ΔP+ΔT ₁

[0028] Once the user's wireless device receives the range message signals, the user's wireless device can process the received range message signal. The user's wireless device can determine whether or not to further establish communication with the handoff device, and abort the request. In the alternative, the user's wireless device can automatically respond and can send a range message acknowledgement signal to the handoff device. The range message acknowledgement signal can contain various information about the available device, such as the user's user ID, personal password, cryptography protocol, etc. The user's wireless device can send the range message acknowledgement signal at time T2. T2 for example, can be the sum of time T, the time of the processing delay ΔP, the time of the first propagation delay ΔT₁, and the turn-around time ΔTA. The turn-around time ΔTA can represent the period of time from the time the user's wireless device receives the range message signal to the time the user's wireless device transmits the range message acknowledgement signal. Accordingly, time T2 can be represented as the following equation.

T2=T+ΔP+ΔT ₁ +ΔTA

[0029] At time T2, a range message acknowledgement signal can be sent from the user's wireless device to the handoff device. After the range message acknowledgement signal reaches the handoff device, the range message acknowledgement signal can be received by the receiver. Once the range message acknowledgment signal is received, the handoff device can thereby determine a total time T_(Total). The total time T_(Total) can be the sum of time T2 and the second propagation time delay ΔT₂. Accordingly, the total time T_(Total) can be represented by the following equation.

T _(Total) =T2+ΔT ₂

[0030] Based on the total time T_(Total), the information embedded within the range message acknowledgement signal, and other factors such as device related delays, the handoff device can determine the distance range of the user's wireless device.

[0031] In yet another example, the handoff device can determine the geographic position of the user's wireless device. The handoff device can start by determining the surrounding environment in relation to itself. This information can be already stored within the handoff device if the handoff device remains relatively stationary, or the handoff device can determine the geographic area surrounding itself through a geographic position unit or other positioning systems such as a Global Positioning System.

[0032] Next, the handoff device of the present example can determine it's own position in relation to the immediate surrounding environment. Again, this information can be already stored within the handoff device if the handoff device remains relatively stationary. For example, the handoff device can access data regarding the interior design or interior layout of the immediate environment instantly from a storage unit. In the alternative, the handoff device can transmit initial detecting pulse signals to detect the interior design or interior layout of the surrounding area.

[0033] After determining the immediate surrounding geographic area in relation to its own position, the handoff device can determine the distance range of the user's wireless devices by way of the examples mentioned above. The steps of determining the distance range can include the steps transmitting signals within the surrounding environment, receiving one or more second signal(s), and measuring the total propagation time, etc.

[0034] Once the handoff device has determined the distance range of the user's wireless device in relation to its own position, the handoff device can thereafter determine the coordinates of the user's wireless device based on information such as the distance range information, the surrounding geographic environment information, the global geographic positioning information, etc. The coordinates of the user's wireless device can in part determine the geographic position of user's location.

[0035] It is noted that although the examples provided above can determine the distance range location information and/or the geographic position location information of a single wireless device, the present invention can determine the location information of a plurality of wireless devices within a wireless cell network. It is further noted that the location information of each wireless device can assist in the determination of the signal propagation characteristics of each wireless device.

[0036] Following the determination of the location information of the user's wireless device, the handoff device can determine the signal propagation characteristics of the area within the first wireless cell at step 210. The signal propagation characteristics can already be stored within the handoff device or can be determined during initiation or during network registration. At the same time, the handoff device can determine signal coverage characteristics regarding the first wireless cell at step 215. Similar to the signal propagation characteristics, the signal coverage characteristics can already be stored within the handoff device or can be determined during initiation or during network registration.

[0037] Once the communication information such as the location information of the wireless device, the signal propagation characteristics, and the coverage characteristics are determined, the handoff device can initiate and provide wireless connection to the wireless device within the first wireless cell at step 220.

[0038] After wireless connection is provided to the wireless device within the first wireless cell, the handoff device can access directional information and can transmit the direction information to the wireless device at step 225 of FIG. 2. The directional information can be based on historical pathway(s) stored in a storage unit within the handoff device. Furthermore, the historical pathway(s) information can either be preprogrammed within the handoff device or can be determined over a period of time through previous wireless connections and historical handoffs within the wireless cell.

[0039] Accordingly, the wireless device can receive a set of navigational directions which can instruct the user on the optimal way to move through a particular geographic area. The navigational instructions can be displayed using a topographical map or other various ways.

[0040] Once the wireless device receives the navigational directions, the wireless device can move through the geographic area having wireless connection provided by the first wireless cell. When the wireless device reaches an area where a second and/or third wireless cell coverage is available, the handoff device within the first wireless cell can coordinate with the other handoff devices within the second and/or third wireless cell for an efficient wireless connection handoff at step 230. The handoff device within the first wireless cell can base the handoff of the wireless connection to another handoff device on the historical pathway taken by the wireless device.

[0041]FIG. 3 illustrates one example of a hardware configuration that can perform network or access point handoff based on historical pathway, in accordance with the present invention. In addition, the hardware configuration of FIG. 3 can be in an integrated, modular and single chip solution, and therefore can be embodied on a semiconductor substrate, such as silicon. Alternatively, the hardware configuration of FIG. 3 can be a plurality of discrete components on a circuit board. The handoff can also be implemented as a general purpose device configured to implement the invention with software.

[0042]FIG. 3 illustrates a handoff device 300 configured to handoff wireless connection from one network to another network or from one access point to another access point. The handoff device 300 contains a receiver 310 and a transmitter 305. The transmitter 305 can transmit electro-magnetic signals as well as various other signals including UWB signals. The transmitter 305 can transmit signals in short pulses in short duty cycles. Therefore, the transmitter 305 can transmit signals such as directional information to a wireless device. In the alternative, the receiver 405 can receive electromagnetic signals as well as various other signals including UWB signals.

[0043] Furthermore, the handoff device 400 can include a geographic positioning unit 315 and a memory 330. The geographic positioning unit 315 can store geographic positioning information and interior floor plan information for a specific geographic area . Furthermore, the memory 330 can store information such as geographic maps, device capability information, signal propagation characteristics, signal coverage characteristics, historical pathway(s) or can store default values and look-up table, etc.

[0044]FIG. 3 also shows a processing unit 320, and a handoff processing unit 325 for determining and performing efficient handoff from one handoff device to another handoff device. It is noted that the handoff processing unit 325 can be a separate processing unit. It is further noted that although the handoff processing unit 325 is shown to be within the processing unit 320, the handoff processing unit 325 can be a separate and distinct processing unit from the processing unit 320.

[0045] Therefore, the processing unit 320 can be the main processing unit and can process functions that are outside the functions of the handoff processing unit 325. The handoff processing unit 325 can therefore perform all the functions and tasks related to the efficient handoff of wireless connection from a first wireless cell to another wireless cell.

[0046] Furthermore, FIG. 3 includes a display 335. The display 335 can be a plasma display, a LCD display or various other types of display for displaying multimedia information.

[0047]FIG. 4 illustrates one example of the present invention and can be embodied in an environment such as an office environment. FIG. 4 shows a geographic area of an office space having a wireless network infrastructure 400. The wireless network infrastructure 400 has three wireless cells 410, 415, and 420. Each wireless cell includes a handoff device 425, 430 and 435. The handoff devices 425, 430 and 435 can perform the functions of an access point as discusses above with respect to FIG. 1. Each handoff device is connected to a wired LAN 401.

[0048] The office environment of the present example has a walkway 405, and wireless coverage for the walkway shown in FIG. 4 is provided by wireless cells 410, 415 and 420.

[0049] In this example, a wireless device 440 enters the walkway 405 and either can send a request message from the wireless device to the handoff device 435, or has already established wireless connection within the first wireless cell 420. Suppose for this example a request message is sent by the wireless device 440 to the handoff device 435. The request message can be a request to perform a specified task such as accessing resources or accessing services provided by or through the first wireless cell 420. The handoff device 435 can receive the request message from the wireless device 440 and can establish a wireless connection with the wireless device 440.

[0050] After the handoff device 435 receives the request message, the handoff device 435 can initiate a signal-generating location information feature within the handoff device to determine the location information of the wireless device 440. The handoff device 435 can determine the location information such as the distance range location information or the geographic location information of the wireless device 440 as the wireless device moves through the walkway 405.

[0051] Following the determination of the location information of the wireless device 440, the handoff device 435 can determine the signal propagation characteristics of walkway 405 within the wireless cell 420. The signal propagation characteristics can already be stored within the handoff device or can be determined during initiation or during network registration. At the same time, the handoff device 435 can determine signal coverage characteristics regarding the walkway 405 within the wireless cell 420. Similar to the signal propagation characteristics, the signal coverage characteristics can already be stored within the handoff device or can be determined during initiation or during network registration.

[0052] Once the communication information such as the location information of the wireless device, the signal propagation characteristics, and the coverage characteristics are determined, the handoff device 435 can initiate and provide wireless connection to the wireless device within the wireless cell 420.

[0053] After wireless connection is provided to the wireless device within the wireless cell 420, the handoff device 435 can access directional information and can transmit the direction information to the wireless device 440. The directional information can be based on historical pathway(s) stored in a storage unit within the handoff device 435. Furthermore, the historical pathway(s) information can either be preprogrammed within the handoff device 435 or can be determined over a period of time through previous wireless connections and historical handoffs within the wireless cell.

[0054] Accordingly, the wireless device 440 can receive a set of navigational directions which can instruct the wireless device 440 on the optimal way to move through a particular geographic area. In this example, the navigational directions based on historical pathway(s) instruct the wireless device 440 to traverse through the walkway 405 staying on the left side of the walkway 405 for the optimal and efficient coverage.

[0055] Once the wireless device 440 receives the navigational directions, the wireless device 440 can move through the walkway 405 by staying on the left side of the walkway 405. When the wireless device reaches an area 450 where a second wireless cell coverage 415 and a third wireless cell coverage 410 are also available, the handoff device 435 within the first wireless cell 435 can coordinate with the other handoff devices 430 and 425 for an efficient wireless connection handoff. The handoff device 435 within the first wireless cell 420 can handoff the wireless connection to the handoff device 425 within the third wireless cell 410, or to the handoff device 430 within the second wireless cell 415, based on the historical pathway(s).

[0056] In this example, if the wireless device 440 was to take a left and go into the area 445, then the handoff device 435 would handoff the wireless cell connection to handoff device 430. However, if the wireless device 440 was to go through the walkway 405 without entering the area 445, then the handoff device 435 would handoff the wireless connection to handoff device 425 without handing off the wireless connection to handoff device 430. Therefore, as wireless device 440 moves through the walkway 405, the handoff device 435 would first provide wireless connection to the wireless device 440 within the first wireless cell 420. When the wireless device 440 reaches area 450 where wireless connection is provided by all three cells 410, 415, and 420, the handoff devices 425, 430, and 435 coordinates with each other and based in part on the historical pathway(s), the handoff device 435 can determine to handoff the wireless connection to handoff device 425 if the wireless device 440 moves through the walkway 405, or the handoff device 435 can determine to handoff the wireless connection to handoff device 430 if the wireless device 440 moves into area 445.

[0057] One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the invention as discussed above may be practiced with steps in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in handoffs which are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the invention has been described based upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. In order to determine the metes and bounds of the invention, therefore, reference should be made to the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. A method of handing off a wireless connection, said method comprising the steps of: establishing a wireless connection with a wireless device within a first wireless cell; determining communication information with regard to the first wireless cell; providing wireless connection to the wireless device within the first wireless cell; transmitting directional information to the wireless device; and handing off the wireless connection to a second wireless cell.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining communication information comprises the step of: determining location information of the wireless device.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of determining communication information comprises the step of: determining signal propagation information with regard to the first wireless cell.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of determining communication information comprises the step of: determining signal coverage information with regard to the first wireless cell.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting directional information comprises the step of: transmitting directional information based on stored historical pathways.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of handing off comprises the step of: handing off the wireless connection when the wireless device is within the second wireless cell.
 7. A device for handing off a wireless connection, said device comprising: a receiver configured to receive a communication signal from a wireless device within a first wireless cell; a first processor configured to determine communication information regarding the first wireless cell; a storage unit configured to store directional information regarding the first wireless cell; a transmitter configured to transmit the directional information to a wireless device located within the first wireless cell; a second processor configured to provide wireless connection to the wireless device through the receiver and the transmitter, wherein the second processor hands off the wireless connection to a second wireless cell.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first processor is configured to determine location information of the wireless device.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the first processor is configured to determine signal propagation information with regard to the first wireless cell.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the first processor is configured to determine signal coverage information with regard to the first wireless cell.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the storage unit is configured to store the directional information based on historical pathways.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the second processor hands off the wireless connection to the second wireless cell when the wireless device is within the second wireless cell.
 13. A system for handing off a wireless connection, said system comprises: an establishing means for establishing a wireless connection with a wireless device within a first wireless cell; a determining means for determining communication information with regard to the first wireless cell; a providing means for providing wireless connection to the wireless device within the first wireless cell; a transmitting means for transmitting directional information to the wireless device; and a hand-off means for handing off the wireless connection to a second wireless cell.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the determining means determines location information of the wireless device.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the determining means determines signal propagation information with regard to the first wireless cell.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the determining means determines signal coverage information with regard to the first wireless cell.
 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the transmitting means transmits directional information based on stored historical pathways.
 18. The system of claim 13, wherein the hand-off means hands off the wireless connection when the wireless device is within the second wireless cell. 